Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of tris(4-hydroxyphenyl) compounds is provided. In particular, an improved method for preparing 1, 1, 1-tris(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethane is provided which comprises heating a mixture comprising phenol and 4-hydroxy acetophenone in the presence of effective amounts of an ion exchange catalyst and a mercaptan as a copromoter such that the resulting 1, 1, 1-tris(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethane is substantially free of various reaction impurities.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for chemically decontaminating PCB-contaminated dielectric fluids utilizes three reactors through which the contaminated fluid is processed on a repetitive, sequential batch basis automated by a programmable controller. The processing of each reactor batch includes a charging cycle during which a reactor is filled with contaminated fluid, a reaction cycle during which the PCBs are destroyed by reaction with reagents introduced into a reactor, and a discharging cycle during which the reactor is emptied of decontaminated fluid and reaction by-products into a decanting tank for ultimate separation. The controller coordinates the sequential batch processing through the three reactors in 120.degree. time phased relation such that a charging cycle of one reactor batch, a reaction cycle of a second reactor batch and a discharging cycle of the third reactor batch are all coincident in time during normal operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the level of polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons dissolved in an organic solvent which avoids the accumulation of sticky residues on the equipment utilized.

Abstract: A method for isolating polymer resins from organic solvents is provided wherein the organic solvent is vaporized in a separation medium comprised of water and an organic anti-solvent for said polymer without significant vaporization of the organic anti-solvent. The polymer precipitates as a powder without high-speed, high-shear agitation and without the formation of a sticky globular mass.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the level of polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons dissolved in organic solvents at a faster rate wherein the organic solvent is treated with a glycol, such as polyethylene glycol, and an alkali metal hydroxide in the form of a uniform solids slurry.

Abstract: A continuous process for isolating polymer resin from organic solvent solution feed is provided wherein the organic solvents in the feed are volatilized in an aqueous solution to form polymer granules and the size of these granules is controlled by interrupting the feed of the organic solvent solution.

Abstract: A method of isolating polymer resins from organic solvents is provided wherein the organic solvent is volatilized in the presence of an aqueous slurry of solid polymer particles of a particular size which provide agglomeration sites for the polymer resin within solution. The process can function continuously with various polymers including polycarbonates, polystyrene, polyetherimides, polyphenylene ethers, polyesters, etc.

Abstract: A method of making bisphenol A from phenol and acetone is provided which allows for the use of reactor acetone feed in the rearrangement reactor. As a result, improved acetone conversion is realized and BPA productivity is enhanced.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating alkylated phenols based on differences in their dissociation constants without the consumption of neutralizing acid or base. This is accomplished by selectively reacting the mixed alkylated phenol having the having dissociation constant to the salt form and isolating the salts from the mixture in an aqueous solution. The alkylated phenols are then recovered from the aqueous solution in unreacted form with an organic solvent. Essentially all solvents and solutions can be recycled.

Abstract: Anhydrous di-(alkali metal) (especially disodium) salts of dihydroxyaromatic compounds such as bisphenol A are prepared by first contacting the solid dihydroxyaromatic compound with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution so as to convert it into the solid di-(alkali metal) salt or hydrate thereof and subsequently separating the solid salt or hydrate from the aqueous system and removing water therefrom, typically by mixing the same with an organic liquid and removing water, including water of hydration, by evaporation. The organic liquid is preferably one such as toluene or o-dichlorobenzene in which water and the anhydrous di-(alkali metal) salt are substantially insoluble. The process may be operated in batch or continuous fashion.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of purifying crude bisphenol-A by crystallization with agitation in phenolic water having less than 30 weight percent phenol. The crystals obtained have a morphology similar to that of aqueous crystallized bisphenol-A with a significantly higher degree of purity than crystals obtained from an aqueous crystallization. The use of an organic solvent, foreign to the bisphenol-A synthesis reaction, for either washing or crystallization can be avoided and only small quantities of phenol and water are required when providing pure bisphenol-A for polycarbonate synthesis by this process.

Abstract: A method for purifying water-crystallized bisphenol-A involving treatment with an aqueous alkaline solution. The concentration of base preferably ranges from 0.1 to 25 weight percent of crude bisphenol-A. The crude bisphenol-A is a solid and preferably at a temperature in the range of about 10.degree. to 80.degree. C.

Abstract: Anhydrous alkali metal (especially sodium) salts of hydroxyaromatic compounds, particularly bisphenols such as bisphenol A, are prepared by forming a solution of the hydroxyaromatic compound in a solvent mixture comprising a relatively high boiling non-polar organic liquid such as toluene or o-dichlorobenzene and an alkanol containing up to about 4 carbon atoms, preferably methanol; contacting said solution with an aqueous solution of a substantially stoichiometric amount of alkali metal hydroxide; and removing substantially all volatile materials from the reaction mixture by evaporation. The product thus obtained is a slurry of the anhydrous alkali metal salt in the non-polar liquid.

Abstract: A method for purifying bisphenol-A involving aqueous crystallization of impure bisphenol-A followed by in-situ treatment of the water/bisphenol-A crystal slurry with an organic washing solvent is presented. The purified bisphenol-A is then either removed from the crystal slurry or melted so the purification process can be repeated before separating the purified bisphenol-A.

Abstract: An efficient method of purifying bisphenol-A is presented whereby solvent washing of the bisphenol-A crystals and extraction of impurities, bisphenol-A and phenol from the aqueous liquid of a water/bisphenol-A crystal slurry is accomplished simultaneously and in a continuous operation. The method involves contacting the water/bisphenol-A crystals with an organic washing solvent in a continuous, multi-stage, countercurrent extraction column.

Abstract: An improved bis-phenol synthesis reactor system is provided using multiple acetone injection in an ion exchange catalyzed BPA synthesis process. This process results in an improved reactant effluent product distribution and color.

Abstract: An ion exchange catalyzed bisphenol process is described wherein condensation reaction temperature is increased along the path of the reaction which limits the formation of color bodies, tars and other condensation reaction by-product impurities.

Abstract: A method of improving the performance of cationic exchange catalysts used in the production of bisphenols from phenolic compounds and carbonyl compounds by pretreating the phenolic compound with a chelating resin to remove metallic impurities.

Abstract: An improved process is described for recovery of some of the bisphenol-A values present in the waste streams in an acid-catalyzed bisphenol-A synthesis process.